The Hurricanes also opened in impressive fashion, pounding Charleston Southern 52-7. The Canes showed marked improvement under second season head coach Randy Shannon. Miami’s running game was impressive rushing for 224 yards and five touchdowns.
Prediction: Florida, 37-27
Troy at No. 7 LSU
Because of damage cause to Tiger Stadium by Hurricane Gustav, the Tigers and Trojans have rescheduled their game for November 15 in Baton Rouge. Here’s hoping everyone affected by the storm a speedy recovery.
UNLV at No. 22 Utah Line: Utah -22
The Utes look to avenge a 27-0 loss to UNLV last season and will bring arguably their best team since Urban Meyer’s 2004 squad to Vegas to get the job done. The Utes are led by quarterback Brian Johnson who looked unstoppable in the first half against Michigan.
The Rebels have a lot of new faces on defense, but beyond a new quarterback, most of their offense is the same cast of characters as last year. The 27 points scored by the Rebels in their season opener was a welcomed change from what the team suffered through in 2007 when they averaged a mere 18.2 points per game to rank not only last in the Mountain West Conference but also 111th in the nation overall.
Prediction: Utah, 38-21
No. 12 Texas Tech at Nevada Line: Texas Tech -10
This is an interesting match-up. Texas Tech’s offense against Nevada’s defense. Tech was last in the nation in rushing yards per game last season while Nevada was 12th in the nation.
The Red Raiders look to keep their BCS hopes alive, but will need to show improvement on the defensive side of the ball. Nevada is a good team, but they may not have enough to stop Tech.
Prediction: Texas Tech, 38-27
Stanford at No. 15 Arizona State Line: Arizona State -14
Arizona State didn’t look that impressive in a 30-13 win over FCS Northern Arizona last weekend. The Sun Devils will look to improve this weekend. Stanford showed an impressive running game against Oregon State in their opener, rushing for 210 of their 301 total yards. The Cardinals will need to show improvement defensively if they hope to go to 2-0.
Prediction: Arizona State, 38-26
Game of the Week
Cincinnati at No. 4 Oklahoma Line: Oklahoma -21.5
The Sooners made light work of FCS foe Chattanooga last week rolling up 50 points in the first half, but they will face much stiffer competition the week. Cincinnati also slaughtered and FCS opponent, knocking off Eastern Kentucky.
The Cincinnati defense may be one of the best in the country and they will need to perform at their best in order to slow down the Oklahoma offense which could be one of the best in the country.
Prediction: Oklahoma, 31-27
Upset Special
No. 15 BYU at Washington Line: BYU -10
The BYU Cougars will take the nation’s longest win streak on the road this week. Facing a dual threat quarterback last week was rough for the Cougars, as Northern Iowa’s Pat Grace finished with 141-yards rushing. It will get much more difficult this week.
Jake Locker is one of the top dual threat quarterbacks in the nation and coach Ty Willingham may be starting to get desperate. I look for Jake Locker to have a big day, but it may not be enough. He won’t be able to do it alone and will need his young receivers to step it up a notch.
Prediction: Washington, 31-28
This Week: 13-5
Last Week: 13-5
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